More divorce before 10 years

A significant number of South African divorces come from marriages less than 10 years old. A report released by Stats SA on Tuesday shows that 45.7% of completed divorces were from couples who did not reach their 10th anniversary. The study was done on marriages in 2014. Statistician-General Pali Lehohla said that had been a trend for the past 10 years.

“Almost half of the divorces for the past 10 years or so have come from marriages that did not celebrate the 10th anniversary.” Lehohla says he expects the numbers to be similar for this year unless something dramatic, such as a change in divorce laws, occured. Divorce attorney and senior associate at Adams and Adams, Zunaid Olivier, said there were a multitude of factors which may lead to increased rates of divorce among younger people.

“We live in times where young people are much more financially strained than their parents were at their ages and financial problems add stress to any romantic relationship, including a marriage.” He also cited work stress as a common mitigating factor.

“More often than not, both couples now also have to work to earn a living, with both parties being subjected to the stresses of work.” Couples counsellor Susan Eksteen cited a lack of communication and infidelity as some of the main causes of divorce in this country.

“The internet and the ease it creates to have an emotional relationship, which may or may not lead to a sexual relationship outside the marriage, is also a factor. “And once the other partner finds out, trust becomes an issue.” Olivier noted the high risk of emotional scars left on the children involved in these situations and he said he always warns his clients to behave in a manner which avoids this occurring.

It is no wonder that children, in any event, will emerge with emotional scarring in a divorce, he said. The report indicates that in 2014, there were 13 676 (55.4%) divorces involving children under 18. The report also found that there were more females filing for divorce than males. The average age for males filing for divorce was 43 while that of females was 40.